Aberdeen Approves New Recycling Measures Aimed at Facilitating Compliance

In an effort to boost recycling compliance and save tax dollars, the Aberdeen Township Council has approved a measure to allow residents to place mixed paper in the same container as their bottles and cans.

“Many residents, especially those who live in homes without basements or whose garages have been converted to family rooms, have told us that they do not have room for another receptacle to place mixed papers,” said Councilman Greg Cannon.  “By allowing mixed papers to be placed in the same container with bottles and cans, we hope to resolve this issue.”

In another important change to Township recycling rules, plastic bags of any color can no longer be used to hold mixed papers, bottles or cans.  Previously, homeowners had the option of placing items in clear plastic bags or in closed containers.  “The bags slow down the process at the recycling plant because they get caught up in the machines and can damage the equipment,” explained Public Works Director Bob Brady.

Recycling is mandatory for Aberdeen residents.  With the addition of single stream recycling in 2012, compliance has improved in recent years.  However, township officials report that compliance rates have not increased to levels appropriate for the number of homes/residents.  “Beyond the obvious benefits to the environment, increased compliance can help keep property taxes in check by reducing the amount of tipping fees paid at the Monmouth County Landfill,” noted mayor Fred Tagliarini.  Tipping fees are the costs for disposing waste at landfills and recycling cuts down on the amount of waste dropped off.  In 2014, Aberdeen recycled a total of 4,279 tons, generating more than $312,000 in tipping fee savings, Brady reported.  Both numbers exceeded prior year levels.

Under Aberdeen’s program, all household recyclables are picked up at curbside twice a month.  The Cliffwood Beach, Cliffwood, River Gardens, Oakshades, Freneau, and Heritage Estates sections have their recycling picked up on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.  The Strathmore section, High School area, as well as the Woodbrook Drive, Randall Way, Storyland, Sante Fe, and Heather Glen neighborhoods have their pick-ups on the second and fourth Wednesdays.

In addition, Brady reminded residents that pails for recycling and regular trash pick-ups should be placed at the curb no earlier than 4:00 p.m. the day before pickup.

Township rules for recycling specific items are as follows:

Newspapers: Must be tied and bundled and cannot include newspaper used for pet waste or household projects.

Bottles and Cans - Glass jars, aluminum cans and pourable plastic milk, soda, water, detergent, and juice bottles (plastics marked #1 and #2 within the triangle on the container’s bottom) must be rinsed and placed in a container- not in plastic bags. Don’t include foil, pie tins, yogurt containers, trays, cookware, dishware, light bulbs, ceramics or window glass.

Mixed Paper - Magazines, circulars and other “junk mail,” telephone books, cereal and other clean food boxes, as well as all other paper products must be in a closed container - not in plastic bags. Don’t include food wrappers, used or food-tainted paper cups and plates, or hard cover books (unless cover and binder removed).

Cardboard - Must be flattened and bundled with string. Don’t include food-contaminated cardboard such as pizza boxes or waxed cardboard (i.e., frozen food boxes).

Residents continue to have the option of dropping off their recyclables at the Public Works Yard on Lenox Rd., off Cliffwood Ave., Monday through Saturday, from 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  The facility also offers bins for recycling TVs, computers, stereos, and other electronic products.  In addition, Aberdeen provides a yearly shredding event at town hall where residents may bring up to 100 pounds of paper to be shredded, on-site, in a specially-equipped truck.

Meanwhile, residents desiring to dispose large items--refrigerators, air conditioners, stoves, washers & dryers, water heaters, furniture, carpets, certain building materials and other bulk items-must schedule a special pick-up by calling Suburban Disposal at (800) 339-1757. There is no fee for this service.  Items should not be placed at the curb until all arrangements are made.

Hazardous household waste, such as car batteries and  paint cans, must be brought to the Monmouth County Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 3211 Shafto Rd. in Tinton Falls.  For further information, call (732) 683-8686 and follow the prompts for “household hazardous waste disposal” or go to www.visitmonmouth.com and select the link for “recycling” on the left side of the home page, where you will find a complete rundown of recycling programs available from the county and its municipalities.

A handy flyer listing all recycling instructions and requirements can be downloaded from the Aberdeen Township website: www.aberdeennj.org.